Upper False Teeth Options
If you are missing several teeth, you know that there can me many problems associated with this condition, whose fancy name is edentulism. Besides the aesthetic inconvenience, we do not recommend leaving the situation as it is. For health reasons, you should examine your options for replacing missing teeth. Missing teeth encourage chewing on the other side, thus unbalancing the jaw. Joint problems may appear more easily and affect your posture. In addition, missing teeth can cause chewing disorders, which may cause digestion disorders, as the food you eat will be less well crushed when it enters your stomach. Chewing disorders can also lead to malnutrition, which can lead to muscle and bone loss, amongst other problems. Additionally, if you are missing one or more teeth, the remaining teeth will be overloaded and may loosen or decay more easily. Suffice it to say, if you are missing teeth, it is best to have them replaced as soon as you are able.
To deal with these missing teeth, you have several solutions at your disposal.
1. Partial removable dentures to replace several teeth
These restore partial edentulousness (several teeth are missing, but some can be kept). These prostheses support both the gums and the remaining teeth. There are 2 types depending on the materials used.
- Partial removable resin prostheses: These prostheses consist of a pink acrylic resin plate. This plaque covers the gum and replaces several teeth. It attaches to the remaining teeth with small shaped metal hooks.
- Removable partial metallic prostheses: These prostheses consist of a metal plate covering the gum tissue. The resistance of the metal alloys used makes it possible to obtain less bulky and thinner prostheses than when this plate is made of resin. The hooks cast in the same metal as the plate are precise and increase the hold of the prosthesis. These prostheses also have small metal elements called cleats that rest on the remaining teeth and prevent the prosthesis from sinking into the gum tissue. The metal of these prostheses is covered in places with pink acrylic resin to mimic the gum for aesthetics.
2. Total removable prostheses
These types of dentures are usually used to restore complete tooth loss. They therefore rely only on the gum tissue to stay in your mouth. On upper teeth, these types of dentures or prostheses are held in place in the mouth by the suction effect created by the saliva that accumulates between the prosthesis and the gum, creating a suction cup effect. For the lower jaw, it holds in place mechanically, that is to say according to the shape of the gum. Most often, they are made from pink acrylic resin.
There are advantages and disadvantages to partial and total dentures.
Some advantages are:
- They restore better chewing function
- They generally have good aesthetics, and it is hard to tell you are wearing dentures
- They are generally less invasive than other solutions
- They are quicker than other solutions
Some Disadvantages to partial or total dentures are:
An adaptation time is necessary for chewing and speaking; you must learn h ow to use them and get used to having them in your mouth
The hold of these dentures can become insufficient if the gum has a very flat shape or if there is little saliva, and can therefore start to injure your mouth
Lower complete dentures generally hold less well than upper dentures. This is because of the small contact surface with the gum (space must be left for the tongue). The problems of holding complete dentures can be solved by using specific adhesives (such as Fixodent or Polident)
3. Dental Implants
When one or several top or bottom teeth are missing, implants are the “gold standard” solution. Singular implants can be placed for each missing tooth, or the implants can be used as supports for a bridge consisting of several prosthetic teeth. Fixed in the jawbone, the dental implant is an artificial root intended for the placement of a crown, replacing missing tooth. This solution is generally offered to patients from whom one or more teeth have been extracted. It makes it possible to regain a chewing function, better daily comfort and dental aesthetics. Dental implantology is carried out in several stages and includes surgery.
An initial consultation with the dentist who will take care of the implant surgery is essential before considering implantology treatment. A rigorous assessment of the patient's oral condition should be performed in order to develop a personalized treatment plan. Sometimes, you will also have to have a 3D examination. This will determine the height and thickness of the area where the dentist wants to place the implant. The placement of the implant is dependent on the structure of your face and jawbone, and your dental surgeon must choose the proper place for best results.
Just like other solutions, there are advantages and disadvantages to dental implants.
Some advantages to implants are:
- They completely restore the look, feel, and function of your missing teeth because they become part of your jaw just like a natural tooth
- They tend to last a long time and you take care of them just like natural teeth
- They restore jawbone health by functioning like natural teeth
Some Disadvantages to implants are:
- They are done in multiple stages, which can take a long time
- Because surgery is involved, there could be complications related to placing implants
- They can be quite costly
4. Dental Bridge
Also called a bridge, a dental bridge is a dental prosthesis that is attached to neighboring teeth with one or more missing teeth. Before the installation of the bridge, the dentist must first reduce the volume of the neighboring teeth by filing them down in order to fit the new bridge. Aesthetically, the dental bridge looks very similar to those of real teeth.
Some advantages to bridges are:
- They restore the look, feel, and function of your missing tooth or teeth- it is hard to tell they are not natural teeth
- They are more cost-effective than implants
- They are a fast solution, often only requiring a couple of dentist visits
Some Disadvantages to bridges are:
- In order to fit them, existing healthy teeth may be compromised by the filing in order to fit the bridge
- They don’t prevent bone loss the way an implant will
Regardless of the solution you chose for your missing teeth, it is imperative to consult your dentist and work with them to make sure you provide the right care for your new teeth.